A STUDY ON THE COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF THIOPENTONE SODIUM AND PROPOFOL IN ADULT PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment modality for various severe psychiatric disorders.The choice of induction agent significantly influences seizure adequacy, hemodynamic stability, and recovery profile.Thiopentone sodium and propofol are commonly used anesthetic agents for modified ECT; however, each exhibit distinct pharmacological properties that may affect clinical outcomes.Methods: This prospective randomized comparative study included 50 adult patients scheduled for modified ECT.Participants were randomly allocated into two groups of 25 each.Group T received thiopentone sodium and Group P received propofol for induction of anesthesia.Seizure duration, recovery time, and post-ECT hemodynamic parameters including heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were recorded.Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and ANOVA, with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results: Baseline demographic variables and procedure duration were comparable between groups.Seizure duration was significantly longer with thiopentone (33.00 ± 12.53 sec) compared to propofol (16.47 ± 5.51 sec) (p < 0.001).Recovery duration was significantly shorter with propofol (8.30 ± 1.70 min) than thiopentone (12.40 ± 2.17 min) (p < 0.001).Post-ECT heart rate was significantly higher in the thiopentone group (p < 0.001).No significant differences were observed in SBP, DBP, MAP, SpO₂, energy delivered, or number of attempts.Conclusion: Both thiopentone sodium and propofol were safe and effective induction agents for modified ECT.Thiopentone provided longer seizure duration, whereas propofol offered faster recovery and better hemodynamic stability.The choice of agent should be individualized according to clinical requirements.